Iron holder



Oct. 12, 1965 5. J. PAVONl 3,212,742

IRON HOLDER Filed June 10, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 13 J K j U U U U I U I 5 2 4 INVENTOR.

5. J. PAVONI BY w ATTORNEYS S. J. PAVONI Oct. 12, 1965 IRON HOLDER 2 Sheets$heet 2 Filed June 10, 1964 FIG. .5

INVENTOR.

S. J. PAVONI ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,212,742 IRON HOLDER Subby J. Pavoui, Elgin, Ill., assignor to Wall Industries, Iuc., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 10, 1964, Ser. No. 374,117 Claims. (Cl. 248-1171) This invention relates to iron holders. In one aspect the invention relates to a holder which is particularly suitable for holding steam irons. In another aspect the invention relates to an improved iron holder which minimizes heat transfer between the iron and the holder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved iron holder. One object of the invention is to provide an iron holder which can be utilized to support a steam iron in such a position as to shut 0d the production of steam. Another object of the invention is to provide an iron holder which minimizes heat buildup in the holder, thus avoiding burns from touching a hot holder. It is also an object of the invention to prevent scorching of the ironing board cover due to heat buildup in the holder. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an iron holder into and from which an iron can be moved without scratching the surface of the iron. A still further object of the invention is to provide an iron holder which lends itself to ease of manufacture. Another object of the invention is to provide an iron holder which is simple and economical to construct. It is an object of the invention to provide an iron holder having a grid frame constructed from metal wire for ventilation, and strength. Another object of the invention is to provide an iron holder having an integral railing to prevent the iron from sliding or falling from the holder. It is another object of the invention to provide an iron holder which is readily attachable to and detachable from the ironing board. Another object of the invention is to support the iron adjacent the ironing surface to minimize lifting of the iron.

Other aspects, objects and the several advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the disclosure, the drawing and the appended claims to the invention.

In the drawings FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an iron holder in accordance with the invention mounted on the end of an ironing board; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of an iron holder in accordance with the invention; and FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are elevation views taken along lines 33, 4-4, and 5-5, respectively, of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the illustrated iron holder has an open rectangular frame member 11, which is preferably formed of one continuous piece of rigid wire bent in the shape of a rectangle having first side 12, second side 13, third side 14 and fourth side 15. The ends of the wire can be welded to form joint 16. Each of L-shaped members 17 is preferably made by forming an acute angle bend in a single continuous piece of rigid wire to provide a long leg and a short leg. The end of the short leg of each of members 17 is secured to side 12, preferably by welding the end of the outer surface of side 12. The end of the long leg of each of members 17 is secured to side 14, preferably by welding the end to the lower surface or side 14. As frame member 11 is preferably made of round wire, the term outer surface refers to the portion of the side which is exterior to member 11 as a whole. Similarly lower surface refers to the underside of the frame member 11. The ends of members 17 being below side 14 and on outside side 12 substantially reducing the possibility of scratching an iron as it is inserted or removed from the cradle. Members 17 are spaced apart from each other and are preferably ice parallel, although it is within the contemplation of the invention for the members 17 to be inclined with respect to each other. For example, the ends of the long legs could contact adjacent ends while the ends of the short legs could be widely spaced.

Support member 20 has a middle portion 21, a first end portion 22 and a second end portion 23. Member 20 is preferably made by forming two right angle bends in a single continuous piece of rigid wire. Member 20 is secured to the lower surfaces of elements 17 by welding each element 17 to middle portion 21 at the point of contact. Middle portion 21 can be parallel to sides 12 and 14 and is longer than sides 12 and 14 by an amount suflicient to provide the desirable leverage. The point of contact between elements 17 and 20 is preferably at approximately the mid-point of the long legs of elements 17 when portion 21 is parallel to sides 12 and 14. The upper end of end portion 22 can be welded to the outer surface of side 13 at approximately the mid-point thereof and is generally perpendicular to side 13. End portion 23 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of frame member 11 and has a suction cup 24 positioned on the upper end thereof.

Support member 25 is preferably formed from a single piece of rigid wire by bending the wire at appropriate angles to provide nine continuous segments. The third segment 26 is attached to the lower surface of each of members 17 at points between element 21 and side 14 and is preferably parallel to elements 21 and 14. The second segment 27 extends upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to segment 26 and is secured to the outer surface of side 15, being substantialy perpendicular to side 14. The first segment 28 extends outwardly with respect to frame member 11 from the upper end of segment 27 and can be substantially parallel to element 21. A rubber sleeve 29 or other suitable means for increasing the surface friction can be attached to the outer end of segment 28. The fourth segment 31 extends upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to segment 26. Segment 31 can be perpendicular to side 13 and is secured thereto at the point of contact.

The seventh segment 32 is secured to the lower surface Of each of members 17 at points between element 21 and the apex of members 17. Segment 32 is preferably substantially parallel to elements 21 and 216. Sixth segment 33 is bent upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to segment 32 and is joined to the outer surface of side 13 substantially perpendicular thereto. In a presently preferred embodiment segments 31 and 33 extend above side 13, and fifth segment 34 is located between the upper ends of segments 31 and 33 approximately parallel to the longer legs of members 17 to provide a handle to facilitate removal of the iron cradle from the ironing board. The eighth segment 35 is bent up wardly at substantially a right angle with respect to segment 32. Segment 35 contacts the outer surface of side 15 erpendicular to side 15 and is secured thereto at the point of contact. Ninth segment 36 extends outwardly with respect to frame member 11 from the upper end of segment 35 and is in the same plane as segment 28 and preferably parallel thereto. A rubber sleeve 37 or other suitable gripping means can be secured to the outer end of segment 36.

Roller support member 40, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises five segments with the middle segment 41 being approximately parallel to side 14 and secured to the three center members 17 at a point between side 14 and element 26. Segments 42 and 43 extend upwardly from the ends of segment 41. Segments 44 and 45 extend from the upper ends of segments 42 and 43 approximately parallel to 'side 14. Rollers 46 and 47 are positioned on segments 44 and 45 and are maintained in place by caps 48 and 49. Rollers 46 and 47 are desirably made of heat insulating material which is not affected by the temperatures encountered on the sole of an iron, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, asbestos, ceramic material, etc.

The rollers support the iron with only the rear edge of the sole plate touching the metal elements, thereby minimizing the transfer of heat from the iron to the cradle. This substantially eliminates burns caused by accidental touching of a hot cradle as well as scorching of the ironing board cover due to the cradle becoming heated. The angle at which the long legs of elements 17 are inclined to the horizontal alone or in combination with the rollers can serve the purpose of maintaining the iron at a sufliciently elevated angle to prevent steaming in the case of a steam iron. The open grill work provided by the cradle permits steam to readily pass through when a steam iron is inserted into or removed from the cradle, and thus prevents any accumulation of Water on the cradle. The cradle is easily positioned at any location on an ironing board 51 and provides a snug and secure fit due to the suction cup 24 and gripping means 29 and 37. Elements 29 and 37 extend only a short distance onto the top of the ironing board, thereby maximizing available ironing space. The bends between segments 27 and 28 and "between segments 35 and 36 function as pivot points such that the weight of the cradle and the iron is applied through element 23 to force suction cup 24 against the bottom surface of the ironing board. Element 34 provides a handle to readily effect the removal of the cradle from the ironing board. This can be accomplished by simply lifting the handle upwardly. While element 25 is preferably a single continuous piece of wire, two separate elements can be utilized. The securing of elements 17 to the surfaces of elements 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 26 and 32 away from the position of the iron eliminates scratching of the surface of the iron. The rollers are also particularly useful in avoiding subjecting of the iron to rough surfaces. The rear and side walls formed by frame member 11 and the various elements secured thereto retain the iron within the cradle, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of a child pulling the iron out of the cradle. While elements 21, 26 and 32 are preferably parallel to sides 12 and 14, it is within the contemplation of the invention to utilize other relationships, for example element 21 can be parallel to sides 12 and 14 While elements 26 and 32 are inclined at an acute angle with respect to element 21, the apex of the angle being on the side opposite the support elements 28 and 36. While support member 40 has been illustrated as a flying-U, it is Within the contemplation of the invention to utilize a suitable means for supporting the rollers. While two rollers have been illustrated any suitable number can be utilized, for example a single elongated roller. A second row of rollers can also be utilized between elements 21 and 32 to support the rear of the iron.

In a particular embodiment support element 20 was formed from inch diameter wire, members 11, 25 and 40 were formed from inch diameter wire, and elements 17 were formed from inch diameter wire. The utilization of continuous pieces of wire to form the elements permits simplicity in manufacturing operations while providing a strong, sturdy cradle.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawing, and the appended claims to the invention.

I claim:

1. An ir-on holder comprising a first member formed of continuous rigid Wire bent in the shape of a rectangle having first, second, third and fourth sides; a plurality of L-shaped members formed of continuous rigid wire, each L-shaped member having the end of the shorter leg secured to the outer surface of said first side and the end of the longer leg secured to the lower surface of said third side in a parallel, spaced apart relationship with the remainder of said plurality of L-shaped members; a second member formed of continuous rigid wire comprising a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion; said middle portion being substantially parallel to and longer than said first and third sides and secured to the lower surface at approximately the middle of the longer leg of each of said plurality of L-shaped members; said first end portion of said second member being bent upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to said middle portion with the upper end thereof being secured to said sec-ond side at approximately the midpoint thereof and substantially perpendicular thereto, said second end portion of said second member being bent upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to said middle portion; a suction cup secured to the end of said second end portion; a third member formed of continuous rigid wire and having nine segments; the third segment of said third member being substantially parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and said third side; the second and fourth segments of said third member being bent upwardly at substantially right angles from the ends of said third segment; said second segment being secured to the outer surface of said fourth side and substantially perpendicular thereto; said fourth segment being secured to the outer surface of said second side and substantially perpendicular thereto; the first segment extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said second segment and substantially parallel to said middle portion; a first rubber gripping member secured to the outer end of said first segment; said seventh segment being substantially parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and the apex of each L-shaped member; the sixth and eighth segments of said third member being bent upwardly at substantially right angles from the ends of said seventh segment; said sixth segment being secured to the outer surface of said second side and substantially perpendicular thereto; the

fifth segment being positioned between the upper ends of said fourth and sixth segments and substantially parallel to the longer legs of said L-shaped members; said eighth segment being secured to the outer surface of said fourth side and substantially perpendicular thereto; the ninth segment of said third member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said eighth segment and substantially parallel to said first segment; a second rubber gripping member secured to the outer end of said ninth segment; a fourth member attached to at least two of said L-shaped members approximately midway between said second and fourth sides and adjacent said third side and having two upwardly extending segments, each upwardly extending segment having a horizontal segment extending from the upper end thereof and substantially parallel to said third side; a polytetrafluorethylene roller positioned on each horizont-al segment; and a cap positioned on the end of each of said horizontal segments to maintain said rollers in p ace.

2. An iron holder comprising a first member formed of continuous rigid wire in the shape of a rectangle having first, second, third and fourth sides; a plurality of L-shaped members formed of continuous rigid wire, each L-shaped member having the end of the shorter leg secured to the outer surface of said first side and the end of the longer leg secured to the lower surface of said third side in a parallel, spaced apart relationship with the remainder of said plurality of L-shaped members; a second member formed of continuous rigid wire comprising a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; said middle portion being approximately parallel to said first and third sides and secured to the lower surface at approximately the middle of the longer leg of each of said plurality of L-shaped members; said first end portion of said second member extending upwardly with the upper end thereof being secured to said second side at approximately the midpoint thereof, said second end portion of said second member extending upwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to said middle portion; a suction cup secured to the end of said second end portion; a third member formed of continuous rigid wire and having nine segments; the third segment of said third member being approximately parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and said third side; the second and fourth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said third segment; said second segment being secured to the outer surface of said fourth side; said fourth segment being secured to the outer surface of said second side; the first segment extend ing outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said second segment and substantially parallel to said middle portion; a first gripping member secured to the outer end of said first segment; said seventh segment being approximately parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and the apex of each L- sh-aped member; the sixth and eighth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said seventh segment; said sixth segment being secured to the outer surface of said second side; the fifth segment being positioned between the upper ends of said fourth and sixth segments and approximately parallel to the longer legs of said L-shaped members; said eighth segment being secured to the outer surface of said fourth side; the ninth segment of said third member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said eighth segment and substantially parallel to said first segment; a second gripping member secured to the outer end of said ninth segment; a fourth member attached to at least two of said L-shaped members approximately midway between said second and fourth sides and adjacent said third side and having two upwardly extending segments, each upwardly extending segment having a horizontal segment extending from the upper end thereof and substantially parallel to said third side; and a roller of heat insulating material operatively positioned on each horizontal segment.

3. An iron holder comprising an open frame having first, second, third and fourth sides; a plurality of L-shaped members, each L-shaped member having the end of the shorter leg secured to said first side and the end of the longer leg secured to said third side; a second member comprising a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; said middle portion being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members; said first end portion of said second member extending upwardly and being secured to said second side; said second end portion of said second member extending upwardly with respect to said middle portion; a third member having first, second, third and fourth continuous segments; the third segment of said third member being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and said third side; the second and fourth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said third segment; said second segment being secured to said fourth side; said fourth segment being secured to said second side; the first segment extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said second segment; a fourth member having fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth continuous segments, said sixth segment being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and the apex of each L-shaped member; the fifth and seventh segments of said fourth member 6 extending upwardly from the ends of said sixth segment; said fifth segment being secured to said second side; said seventh segment being secured to said fourth side; said eighth segment of said fourth member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said seventh segment.

4. An iron holder comprising an open frame having first, second, third and fourth sides; a plurality of L- shaped members, each L-shaped member having the end of the shorter leg secured to said first side and the end of the longer leg secured to said third side; a sec-ond member comprising a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; said middle portion being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members; said first end portion of said second member extending upwardly and being secured to said second side; said second end portion of said second member extending upwardly with respect to said middle portion; a first gripping means secured to the end of said second end portion; a third member having nine continuous segments; the third segment of said third member being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and said third side; the second and fourth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said third segment; said second segment being secured to said fourth side; said fourth segment being secured to said second side; the first segment extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said second segment; a second gripping means secured to the outer end of said first segment; said seventh segment being secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and the apex of each L-shaped member; the sixth and eighth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said seventh segment; said sixth segment being secured to said second side; the fifth segment being positioned between the upper ends of said fourth and sixth segments; said eighth segment being secured to said fourth side; the ninth segment of said third member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said eighth segment; a third gripping means secured to the outer end of said ninth segment; at least one roller; and means between said middle portion and said third side and approximately midway between said second and fourth sides for supporting said at least one roller above said L-shaped members.

5. An iron holder comprising an open frame member of continuous rigid wire, said frame having first, second, third and fourth sides; a plurality of L-shaped members formed of continuous wire, each L-shaped member having the end of the shorter leg secured to said first side and the end of the longer leg secured to said third side in a spaced apart relationship with the remainder of said plurality of L-shaped members; a second member comprising a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; said middle portion being approximately parallel to said first and third sides and secured to the lower surface at approximately the middle of the longer leg of each of said plurality of L-shaped members; said first end portion of said second member extending upwardly and being secured to said second side at approximately the midpoint of said second side, said second end portion of said second member extending upwardly with respect to said middle portion; gripping means secured to the upper end of said second end portion; a third member formed of continuous rigid wire and having first, second, third and fourth segments; the third segment of said third member being approximately parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and said third side; the second and fourth segments of said third member extending upwardly from the ends of said third segment of said third member; said second segment of said third member being secured to said fourth side; said fourth segment of said third member being secured to said second side; the first segment of said third member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said second segment; a second gripping means secured to the outer end of said first segment; a fourth member having fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth segments; said sixth segment being approximately parallel to said middle portion of said second member and secured to the lower surface of each of said plurality of L-shaped members at a point between said middle portion and the apex of each L-shaped member; the fifth and seventh segments of said fourth member extending upwardly from the ends of said sixth segment; said fifth segment being secured to said second side; said seventh segment being secured to said fourth side; said eighth segment of said fourth member extending outwardly with respect to said first member from the upper end of said seventh segment; a third gripping means secured to the outer end of said eighth segment; first and second rollers of heat insulating material; and means for supporting said first and second rollers above said'L-shaped members approximately midway be- 8. tween said second and fourth sides and adjacent said third side.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,339 2/51 Ducey 297--174 1,394,529 10/21 Armitage 2482262 1,572,441 2/26 Macy 248117.2 X 1,972,218 9/34 Duvall 248ll7.3 2,046,938 7/36 Duvall 248117.3 2,048,458 7/36 McShinney 2481177 2,169,183 8/39 Fish 312140.4' 2,299,594 10/42 Robinson 2481 17.1 2,730,325 1/56 Van Dusen et al. 248206 2,803,417 8/57 Gruber 248103 7 3,126,226 3 64 Johnson 297 174 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,331 6/14 Great Britain. 249,100 3/48 Switzerland.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN IRON HOLDER COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER FORMED OF CONTINUOUS RIGID WIRE BENT IN THE SHAPE OF A RECTANGLE HAVING FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH SIDES; A PLURALITY OF L-SHAPED MEMBERS FORMED OF CONTINUOUS RIGID WIRE, EACH L-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING THE END OF THE SHORTER LEG SECURED TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID FIRST SIDE AND THE END OF THE LONGER LEG SECURED TO THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID THIRD SIDE IN A PARALLEL, SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REMAINDER OF SAID PLURALITY OF L-SHAPED MEMBERS; A SECOND MEMBER FORMED OF CONTINUOUS RIGID WIRE COMPRISING A FIRST END PORTION, A MIDDLE PORTION, AND A SECOND END PORTION, SAID MIDDLE PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND LONGER THAN SAID FIRST AND THIRD SIDES AND SECURED TO THE LOWER SURFACE AT APPROXIMATELY THE MIDDLE OF THE LONGER LEG OF EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF L-SHAPED MEMBERS; SAID FIRST END PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING BENT UPWARDLY AT APPROXIMATELY A RIGHT ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID MIDDLE PORTION WITH THE UPPER END THEREOF BEING SECURED TO SAID SECOND SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY THE MIDPOINT THEREOF AND SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR THERETO, SAID SECOND END PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING BENT UPWARDLY AT APPROXIMATELY A RIGHT ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID MIDDLE PORTION; A SUCTION CUP SECURED TO THE END OF SAID SECOND END PORTION; A THIRD MEMBER FORMED OF CONTINUOUS RIGID WIRE AND HAVING NINE SEGMENTS; THE THIRD SEGMENT OF SAID THIRD MEMBER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID MIDDLE PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER AND SECURED TO THE LOWER SURFACE OF EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF L-SHAPED MEMBERS AT A POINT BETWEEN SAID MIDDLE PORTION AND SAID THIRD SIDE; THE SECOND AND FOURTH SEGMENTS OF SAID THIRD MEMBER BEING BENT UPWARDLY AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES FROM THE ENDS OF SAID THIRD SEGMENTS; SAID SECOND SEGMENT BEING SECURED TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID FOURTH SIDE AND 